Summary

The Secretariat of the Competition Commission (WEKO) initiated a preliminary investigation against Google on July 14, 2026. The reason is the removal of the "Choice Screen" feature on Android devices in Switzerland. This feature allowed users during initial setup to select a default search engine. Google has removed it in Switzerland, while it remains available in the European Economic Area (EEA). As a result, Google Search is automatically set as the default without users being able to choose an alternative.

Persons

  • (No individuals named)

Topics

  • Antitrust law and competition policy
  • Digital markets and search engines
  • Default settings and market access
  • Switzerland-EU regulation

Clarus Lead

Google's different treatment of Swiss and EEA users reveals a regulatory gap: While EU regulation (Digital Markets Act) enforces search engine choice, Google exploits the lack of comparable Swiss regulations to lock out competitors. The WEKO preliminary investigation signals a tougher enforcement stance in antitrust law and could have precedential effects for other default setting practices on mobile devices. For tech companies, Switzerland thus becomes relevant as a regulatory test case.

Detailed Summary

Default settings play a central role in digital markets for market access and visibility. The "Choice Screen" reduced lock-in effects by explicitly offering users alternative search engines during Android setup. By selectively removing the feature in Switzerland – while keeping it in the EEA – Google artificially raises barriers to entry for competitors like DuckDuckGo or Bing. This practice affects not only search engines but could also disadvantage other digital services that depend on default settings.

The WEKO is examining whether the measure constitutes an impermissible restriction of competition under antitrust law. The unequal treatment of Swiss and EEA users under comparable competitive conditions strengthens suspicion of antitrust violations. The proceedings could provide fundamental insights into Google's default setting strategies on mobile devices.

Key Statements

  • Google has selectively removed the "Choice Screen" feature in Switzerland, but not in the EEA
  • This leads to disadvantaging search engine competitors during device setup
  • WEKO is investigating whether an antitrust violation exists
  • The proceedings could have implications for other default setting practices in the digital sector

Critical Questions

  1. Evidence/Data Quality: What market data does WEKO have to quantify the actual impact of the missing Choice Screen on the market shares of competing search engines?

  2. Conflicts of Interest: How neutral are WEKO's sources of information – are they based on user complaints, EU regulatory pressure, or independent market analysis?

  3. Causality: Can it be demonstrated that the removal of the Choice Screen (and not other factors such as market preference for Google) is responsible for declining market shares of alternatives?

  4. Alternatives: Could Google have legally modified the feature without removing it entirely?

  5. Enforceability: What sanctions or requirements could WEKO practically enforce if Google refuses to reinstate the feature?

  6. Regulatory Coherence: Why does Swiss regulation differ from EU practice here, even though antitrust laws are similar?

Source Directory

Primary Source: Switzerland-EU Package (Bilateral III) – https://www.news.admin.ch/de/newnsb/a1GWSdwMN1pxp0Gdvp3WF

Verification Status: ✓ 14.07.2026

This text was created with the support of an AI model. Editorial Responsibility: clarus.news | Fact-Check: 14.07.2026